Ann came to the rescue with the following solution.
Begin forwarded message:
From: Ann Tanner
> Date: June 1, 2011 11:30:35 AM MDT
> To: Bob and Judy Petersen
> Subject: Here's Whatcha Do Maybe
> This is a story book problem at its best.
> Major accounting issue:
> 1. Louise's book $20.00 divided by 3 = 6.35 paid by E. J. A.
> 2. Judy's book $20.00 divided by 2 = 10.00 paid by E. A.
> 3. Elizabeth's book $20.00 divided by 2 = 10.00 paid by J. A.
> 4. Ann's book $20.00 divided by 2 = 10.00 paid by E. J.
> So, now, who owes what to whom, you ask.
> Well - here's whatcha do.
> Elizabeth bought three books, Ann bought one book.
> Elizabeth, Judy and Ann send Elizabeth 6.35 each for Louise's book.
> Elizabeth and Ann pay 10.00 each for Judy's book.
> Judy and Ann pay 10.00 each for Elizabeth's book.
> Elizabeth and Judy pay 10.00 each for Ann's book.
> So each one of us owes $26.35 somewhere, somehow.
> Now, this is where it gets tricky.
> Judy sends Elizabeth $16.35 for Louise's book and Elizabeth's book. She sends 10.00 to Ann for her book (that she bought for herself, so does this qualify? If so, I can see a small business with potential. Shall I let you know when I buy more books?).
> Ann would normally (Is any of this normal????) send Elizabeth $26.35 for Judy's and Elizabeth's and Louise's books, but since she got in a hurry and bought her own book (yes, some of us remember to click on "place order" on Amazon so it doesn't take forever for an order to arrive), and paid for it herself, she really complicated matters. Elizabeth would owe Ann $10.00 for her (Ann's) book, however since Ann paid for it herself, but owes Elizabeth money, then this will balance (?) out. Ann will owe Elizabeth $16.35 - just wait - it will work out, maybe.
> Elizabeth would normally (? ?) send Ann 10.00 for her book and pay $16.35 for Louise's and Judy's books, but since she already paid for the books, that is Louise's and Judy's books, Elizabeth won't send anything to Ann, which will, in turn pay for part of Ann's portion.
> Now, the question is, does this balance out?
> Judy will pay $26.35. (She owes Ann $10.00 and Elizabeth $16.35)
> Elizabeth will pay $26.35, which she has already paid (she owes Ann $10.00, Ann owes her $26.35, so subtracting the $10.00, Ann now owes Elizabeth $16.35)
> Ann will pay $26.35, however see note directly above. So Ann owes $16.35.
> So - the total ins and outs should/will come to $79.05.
> Now, if Judy sends Elizabeth $26.35, then Ann will need to send Elizabeth only 6.35, because instead of Judy sending money to me (Ann) that I would then send to Elizabeth, it would definitely simplify ??????? the situation.
> And that's whatcha do. Whew, I am going to play in the flowers.